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Who we are

The Marine Mammal Observer Association (MMOA) is a membership based association with the aim of bringing together and representing individuals who work commercially and professionally as Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) and Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Operators who implement mitigation measures to protect marine life during industry operations. The MMOA also provides information to other individuals that have an interest in MMO issues.

What we do

The MMOA provides a means for experienced MMOs to exchange information, ask questions and discuss MMO issues through an interactive website facilitated by an onlineMMO Forum and Information Directory. The MMOA represents these views in feedback to regulatory authorities, academics and industry to improve standards of marine mammal mitigation during offshore operations. The Association encourages continuing professional development of its members.

TheInformation Directory is a key component of our website and a preview of this can be seen on this page. Please note access is only available for our Full and Associate Members.

The MMOA aims to promote a level of professionalism for the industry. To achieve this the MMOA has written a number of Position Statements regarding key issues relevant to the minimum standards that should be adopted for marine mammal observation, passive acoustic monitoring and mitigation to minimise the effects of anthropogenic sound on Species of Concern. To view these please go our webpage - MMOA Activities. All these Position Statements are also available to download in one document. Please click here to download this document.

Membership Structure

Qualified Marine Mammal Observers and Passive Acoustic Monitoring Operators are invited to join the Association as Full Members with the benefit of being recognised as individuals striving to improve their knowledge and work to higher standards, the opportunity to share your knowledge and experience with access to the MMO Forum and Information Directory, to influence the future development of the profession and to have full voting rights on the direction of the MMOA.

Other interested parties (such as students, prospective MMOs, newly qualified MMOs, company employees with an interest in MMO issues etc) are invited to join as Associate Members which will allow you access to the Information Directory, to be invited to comment on MMO issues and to contribute to the aims and objectives of the MMOA.

Please note that full membership is only open to those persons who work as MMOs or PAM operators to implement mitigation measures to protect species of concern during industry or military operations. If you observe marine mammals in another capacity, for example, during scientific surveys, we welcome your input through an Associate Membership. Click here for details of Full and Associate Membership.

Funding the Association

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) has provided the initial set-up costs for this Association. Membership fees will subsequently support the running costs of the Association. Money has also been donated in the form of corporate sponsorship from Geomotive, Geoguide Consultants, Seiche Measurements Ltd, Vanishing Point Marine, Hart Parry and Chevron. The Association is a non-profit organisation and all accounts will be documented in yearly reports.

For more details of these organisations and companies please go to our Corporate Sponsorship page. Currently the Association is run by a voluntary committee who are seeking further funding to sustain the running costs of this organisation. In particular we are seeking funding for a paid position.